Bus Terminal Site Unsuitable

April 11, 1986|The Morning Call

To the Editor:

I am writing in regards to the article in the April 9 Morning Call about the proposed bus terminal site at 15th Street and Sumner Avenue.

I quote John Ferraro, president of Trans-Bridge: "It also is in an area where it will not disturb many people. There are no homes nearby." I beg your pardon sir! I am sure the people in the 700 block of 15th Street, within the block of 15th and Sumner, would find that statement offensive. There are homes nearby, although they may be only row homes, they are homes of taxpayers who have maintained their buildings. The area surrounding 15th and Sumner is residential despite a few businesses that have cropped up over the years. Slowly families are being taken over by more and more businesses with no respect to the value people have placed on their homes or the safety of the families who reside in the homes.

Mr. Ferraro also failed to mention that less than a block away is Trexler Middle School as well as TrexlerFields, both of which mean children. A word strongly associated with children is safety. Traffic on 15th Street (for many blocks) is heavy enough without 1,000 buses a month.

Not only are traffic woes associated with the proposed site but the people factor is very strong also. Bus terminals are noted for attracting all sorts of people and becoming hangouts for many undesirables. Now we complicate the safety of children walking in heavy traffic with their safety in other areas. Long-time residents within many blocks of the proposed site will feel their safety threatened.

It is time that people be taken into consideration. Too often what people have worked hard for is overshadowed by big business and city officials who don't have to live in the neighborhoods that they choose to ruin. I hope residents with similar misgivings about the proposed site come forth and voice their objection when the time comes for them to speak.